Location: Eastington, Glocestershire

Date: June 2009

Category: Community

Overview:

In 2009 a new community centre was built for the village of Eastington, providing community and sports facilities for the local residents. The Owen Harris Memorial Ground Committee, who oversee the site wanted an environmentally and sustainably sound building. Southern Solar was invited to work with the architects Potter and Holmes, to elegantly integrate a solar hot water and solar electric system into the design.

Our Solution

Southern Solar designed a 36 panel roofintegrated solar electric system and a ten panel flat plate solar hot water system. Four of the solar hot water panels were placed vertically, in keeping with the aesthetics of the building and maximising the energy collected from the winter sun. The panels provide hot water to the shower blocks and contribute to the under-floor heating system. The solar system uses thermal stores due to the large volumes of hot water required. Display boards installed in the entrance provide live data on the energy produced and the CO2 saved. Southern Solar helped to secure 100% funding for the installation of both solar systems, comprising of a 50% grant from the Low Carbon Building Programme Phase 2 (LCBP2) and 50% from the Community Sustainable Energy Programme (Big Lottery).

Facts

• Sharp 170W solar electric panels and Filsol flat plate solar hot water panels

• 6.12kWp solar electric and a 20m2 solar hot water system

• Estimated annual output of 14,200kWh  CO2 saving of 4550 kg per annum

• 100% funding, 50% LCBP phase 2 and 50% CSEP grant (Big Lottery)